Melksham-based singer/songwriter, Julian Pugsley, has started a crowd-funding campaign aiming to release his new album of original songs as a vinyl LP.
The musician, who releases music under the pseudonym of ‘Blake’, wants to take advantage of the recent resurgence of interest in record collecting, to fulfil a lifelong ambition.
“I’ve always dreamed about making a record,” he said. “Now, with the revival in record sales and the reduced costs of vinyl pressing, it’s something that is in reach of independent musicians.
“However, the process still isn’t cheap and I need to raise £1,000 to produce 100 copies of the LP. That’s why I have started this crowd-funding campaign. If people pre-order the album I can use the funds to pay for the pressing of the record.
“People don’t need to own a record player to support the project, as the album can be pre-ordered as a CD or digital download, too.”
Julian was inspired to release his new album, called ‘Ride’, as a record after releasing his single ‘Vinyl Junkie’ about the joys of record collecting in 2015 on CD.
Julian said, “I had loads of people ask me why my song about record collecting wasn’t available as a record. I had to agree that there was a certain irony in this! I had to explain that as an independent musician I couldn’t afford to get it pressed.”
Julian recorded his album at Nine Volt Leap studios in Melksham with talented George Ward School alumni Dominic Bailey-Clay producing.
Julian said, “I have worked with Dom on four previous occasions and he really gets what I do. I go for an old school sixties sound that should translate well to being played on a record. Dom instinctively knows how to re-create this. We are very fortunate to have one of the country’s top producers based in our town. He’s worked with some of the very best producers and musicians.”
The record will contain 11 original songs including the title track which was written following a cycle ride through the town on a spring day.
The LP is dedicated to one of Julian’s favourite recording artists, the late Fleetwood Mac singer and guitarist Danny Kirwan, who died last month.
To support Julian’s crowd-funding campaign, head to his website: www.thisisblake.com for further details.